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The otolith "Sagitta" is the most interesting and studied, yielding valuable information on Scalar growth and the stages through which it has passed through your life, it is now known that the endolymph is deposited these layers calcareous concentric rings that match creating growth stages, so that viewing the number of rings can be analyzed fish age. Perhaps a common mistake is to think that the size will always correspond with the age of Scale, however it has been found that the size and calcareous deposit these layers are influenced by the environment in which they develop, if this is more or less favorable development will ultimately affect the otolith, so that if the fish has gone through stages in which the media has not been favorable (including food of course), the rings will be closer together than in times of splendor.

The "Sagitta" is inside the camera called "saccule" is the otolith that first receives the vibrations and will then transmit the otolith who the "Asteriscus". The following "sagittas" belong to copies whose standard length 5cm round.

The otoliths "Sagitta" are described morphologically in some publications, their names being applicable to all species, applying in this case the members of our species [I] Pterophyllum scalare [/ I].

The otolith used to define the morphology of the otolith "Sagitta" the [I] Pterophyllum scalare [/ I], corresponding to a sample of 5 cm standard length.

Externally to the contour of the otolith assigned identifications to allow reference to the same comparisons, studies, etc.. On the left we can identify as the first element to the "Face" and "Antirostro" between the two will form a hollow recess is called, these prominences and depressions, otoliths vary from others, but we have observed that these patterns are always training.

At the top, then the "Antirostro", is called "Dorsal Edge" and the bottom below the "Face", "Edge Belly". In the previous photos of otoliths "Sagitta" although we can see the "Face" and "Antirostro" keep some parallels, in the case of the regions "Edge Dorsal" and "Ventral edge" can appear rather significant differences. Such differences highlight the presence in many of these otoliths, the jagged shape of the area "Edge Belly".

The next element we see in these otoliths is a depression in the limestone formation, running it from the "cutout" until almost the opposite region of the otolith. In this depression is known as "Groove" (Sulcus Acusticus), well that this groove is in contact with the "stain", constituted by nerve endings is connected to the auditory nerve.

In the groove can also identify some parts, starting from area "Face" and "Recess" we find the region called "ostium" in our Pterophyllum is wide, narrowing as it starts the channel calling this area "Collum" , moving the channel forms the area known as "peaks", where small form salient, the "Furrow" will end up in an area called "Cauda", this area increases significantly in size, presenting a depression over the face of the otolith and acquiring an oval.

The mouth of our fish is a "Terminal", located on the front of the head, the size of your mouth, is related to prey capture, small minnows and other live food varied.

The jaws of the Scalar, are exceptional, formed by the premaxilla (top) and alveolar (bottom), are equipped with tiny teeth all monocusp shaped, ie ending in a single point, are of caniniform with what we give an idea that nature has set for a predatory nature diet. Despite having numerous small teeth, but prehensile function becomes suction. Reserve shredder function of food to the pharyngeal jaws.

In the central area of both the tooth premaxila as the teeth are more prominent caniniform type, being then all spinnerets smaller side monocusp character and being shorter and numerous.

The premaxilla also called upper jaw bone is composed of a pair, ie it forms both the left and right, both bones are closely united by the anterior maxilla.

Aka dentary lower jaw bone is formed by a pair, left and right, both are joined through the mandibular symphysis.

A rather curious feature is its ability to project forward enlarging it and thereby allowing greater suction, this peculiarity of projecting the mouth is what we call "protractile" and is produced by a joint pool set in the middle the maxilas.

Dental base is formed by a wide plate that is attached via connective fibers, is what is known as the root of the teeth.

Well after this short break, we continue with the theme of the jaws of the Pterophyllum scalare

So far we have presented the characteristics of the mouth and jaws, but we still have other jaws than other cichlids possess Scale, we refer to the "pharyngeal jaws" most important in their functions live prey predator, pharynx connecting the mouth to the gastrointestinal tract.

These are almost undoubtedly obtained the first photos of these "pharyngeal jaws". In the section "The dissection fresh", we will see integrated into their respective bodies "Ceratobranquias".

Both jaws, both the lower and upper pairs are formed bone containing the teeth.

The photographs are for a Climb with a standard length of around 5 cm.

The teeth that make both jaws unlike the mouth, are of bicuspid, are numerous and cover the surface of the jaws, are more like those of a "caniniform" coinciding with our Scalar predatory diet.

The pharyngeal jaw is attached to the two lower ceratobranchial, (see "fresh dissection"). Most bony fish have pharyngeal gill arches modified to process their prey (Liem 1986, Wainwright 1989), however our Scalar like Ciclidae family, has new joints in the upper jaw throat, presenting a muscular sling and suture (junction point) in the past ceratobranchial.